Going Slowly into The Water

Everybody always says “Jump into the water!”, “Don’t think about it, just do it!”. Well… I’m not a jumper. I like to take it slow. I like to feel the water with the tip of my toes, to feel the sensation of the chilliness slowly spreading each centimeter in my body, and then slowly getting deeper and deeper. It helps me to be able to get into the water with confidence, and makes me to be ready for the water with each centimeter that’s inside. And it is SO MUCH FUN! I could stay in the water forever! (Well, it does depend on how freezing it is haha)

Every time I go to a place with a lake or a water stream, there’s always a voice outside (and to be honest also inside) that tells me to just jump, why do I hesitate? My reaction is always defensive, and I find myself thinking I’m a coward, and that I need to jump already, that I am probably not doing it right. Lately I’ve been asking myself - who said that jumping into the water was the only right way? It for sure gives you tons of adrenaline, and when you do it, there’s no going back, and that’s sometimes good. But… is it good for every time? what if I know that I am sure I’ll go inside, and I just need to do it in my own time?

I noticed that in some aspects, I am very sensitive to the rhythm of the people around me, and that I find that the “do it fast” approach just doesn’t work for me. Not always at least. I like to take it toe by toe, step by step, and be present with what every step brings - maybe I want to feel the coolness in my knee for a moment there, or maybe I feel safe and comfortable enough to continue and take 3 steps deeper, or maybe today I don’t even want to get in.

Myself in a beautiful lake in Sweden

These words are here to remind me that it is OK to do my journey in my own rhythm, the one that fits me. It’s so easy to get carried away with the people around and the culture’s rhythm and their way of thinking, and it is important to stay alert and in deep listening to what feels right for ME.

If I’ll not listen to myself and understand the time I need for getting into the water - who will?